Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google and influential figure in the tech world, has raised alarm bells over the rapidly changing dynamics of the global AI race. Schmidt highlighted the rise of DeepSeek, a Chinese AI initiative, as a “turning point” that could shift the balance of power in the technology sector. Until recently, many believed that the United States held a significant lead over China in AI development, with Schmidt himself having expressed in 2024 that America was “two or three years ahead” in the race. However, DeepSeek’s emergence signals a dramatic change in this narrative. Schmidt argues that this advancement demonstrates that China can now compete with the U.S. in AI development, even with fewer resources.